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Unemployed Need Not Apply

I just read this little snippet and it resonated so loudly with me that it almost shattered my coffee cup:

New Bill Seeks To Prevent Discrimination Against Unemployed Americans

Earlier this month, Representatives Rosa DeLauro (Connecticut) and Henry Johnson, Jr. (Georgia) introduced the Fair Emplyoment Opportunity Act of 2011. The aim of this legislation is simple: To prevent employers from discriminating against unemployed Americans.

Unemployed Need Not Apply?

Companies looking to hire are increasingly including language in their “Help Wanted” postings that prevents applicants who are out of work from applying for a job opening. You may have encountered the following language:

“Applicant must be currently employed.”

The Fair Employment Opportunity Act of 2011, also referred to as HR 2501, would prevent employers from such discrimination. The bill would also apply to employment agencies, who would not be allowed to ask about the current employment status of job applicants.

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Oh please. Until corporate America is regulated they will continue to discriminate. No amount of legislation will keep them from doing so. I’m a 30 year veteran of IT. I have a smattering of accounting and admin skills thrown in. I can’t get a job gargling peanut butter, because each application I fill out requires my social security number and it requires that I agree to a “:criminal background check” BEFORE I’ve even had an interview. That gave them instant access to my age and employment status.

We need legislation to stop THAT shit. I was contacted by a recruiter last friday. I was a perfect fit for the job and he was doing the snoopy dance that he’d found someone. On Monday, after being forced (if I wanted the job) to hand over my social security number for a criminal background check, I got an email saying: “we’re sorry but the job for which you have applied has already been filled. Good luck in your job search.” WTF? Why contact me if it’s already been filled. This guy told me I was the ONLY candidate he had who matched 100%. I didn’t even get the courtesy of a phone call. I didn’t get a first interview.

My benefits will run out soon (thanks, USG, who FIRED me for supposedly “violating” a policy that not only my boss but HER boss was “violating” as well). Oh, let’s not forget that I was told by my boss that my performance was the “worst” in the office. When I asked to see the stats that proved this (because I had it on good authority that there were others making bigger and MORE mistakes than I was making) she said: “Oh, it’s in a spreadsheet, and I can’t access it right now.” Uh huh. What was the REAL reason?

What do I do? Starve? Oh wait. That word doesn’t get used any longer; it’s too ugly. No. Now we must use “Food Insecure.” That way those like my boss and her boss can salve their consciences and pretend their tiny black little hearts are large and magnanimous. I wonder if either of THEM could live on $1,000 a month after taxes? I wonder if either of them could live on NOTHING, which may be what happens to me.

Hey Boss and Boss’ Boss! Are you reading? I know one of you is reading. Think about the reasons you used for firing me. It was bogus crap and you both know it. How many different ways have you justified firing someone using “violation of the electronics use policy?” I know for a fact that one of you (and you know exactly who you are) violated it frequently, based on the viruses you got on your computer from various websites. I got the kick in the ass while the one person you two believed should be cited for canonization threw all her co-workers under the bus.

Yeah, okay. Rant over. But thanks guys. I can’t find work – I’m too old and too unemployed. Think about that when your turn comes. It WILL come. Karma is beautiful that way. The unemployment numbers are a lie. America is so good at manipulating numbers. Oh wait – so are you, so you’ll be able to see how it’s been done in order to come up with the 8.5% unemployment lie they’re currently touting.